Season 1

Identity and relationships are the central themes in our stories in this first season. We interviewed a whole range of people, from laowai who’d just got off the plane, to locals whose families have been in Shanghai for generations, and compiled their personal stories into each episode.

Chinese Face in a Chinese Place
What’s it like to look Chinese but not be fully Chinese and live in China? Listen to the experiences of laowai of Chinese descent, half-Asian people, TCK, and more.

Evolution of a Laowai
We talk to laowai who have been here for different lengths of time to see how the experience of being a laowai changes the longer you stay in China.

Body Image in China
How is the experience of being foreign-looking or having a foreign-sized body in China, and how does that impact someone’s experience?

The Laowai Bubble
It’s possible to live in Shanghai and not come in contact at all with “real China” – this episode is about exploring what that means and how that is even possible.

Escaping the Laowai Bubble
How easy is it to integrate into Chinese society? We share the experiences of foreigners who have tried to immerse themselves in the Middle Kingdom, with various levels of success.

The Revolving Door
How does the temporary nature of expat stays influence your social life? Is it easy to make friends here? To keep friends?